Celebrate the end of summer this Labor Day weekend in Chicago. Photo courtesy of Last Fling in Naperville
8/31/22 - By Maureen Wilkey
Looking for the best things to do in Chicago this Labor Day weekend? Here are some family-friendly events and activities to add to your list for this weekend.
Labor Day weekend in Chicago is a last, sweet taste of summer. And Labor Day Weekend 2022 is no exception. There are many things to do this weekend in Chicago, like listen to music in Hyde Park, Highwood, or at Navy Pier, or burn off the calories from the Labor Day barbecue by biking the drive or playing tennis at Gallagher Way. This may be a good weekend to blow the kids' bedtime for a last late-night hurrah, like the final summer fireworks show on the lake, or head out to a more distant suburb for a variety of end-of-summer, start-of-fall celebrations in Naperville, Buffalo Grove, Melrose Park and Schaumburg.
Give your swimsuits one last workout at the beach, pool, or spray park, and then get ready for fall: Apple picking season is already underway at orchards around Chicago, and our event calendar is filling up with fall fun. Have a great holiday weekend!
More Things To Do in Chicago this Week with Kids:
- Best Things To Do in Chicago in September 2022 with Kids
- All Our Top Back-to-School Ideas
- Awesome classes with Availability
- Chicago Family Activity Calendar
- Subscribe and get this in your inbox each week
Enjoy the last evening of Summer Fireworks at Navy Pier in Chicago. Photo courtesy of Navy Pier
Things To Do in Chicago this Weekend with Kids
Buffalo Grove Days
Thursday, September 1- Monday, September 5—Buffalo Grove
Celebrate the northwest suburbs with a carnival, food trucks, live music for kids and grown-ups, bingo, a family fun walk, a pancake breakfast, and a rotary duck race. Fun and games are available for kids in the children's area.READ MORE
Jazz in the Court
Friday, September 2—Hyde Park
The University of Chicago sponsors free outdoor jazz concerts on the first Friday of each month throughout the summer. The Thaddeus Tukes Quartet plays on Friday, September 2. READ MORE
Last Fling
Friday, September 2- Monday, September 5—Naperville
Naperville's annual end of summer festival features live music, food vendors, a carnival and Family Fun Land. The family area includes sack races, water balloon contests, and eating contests featuring cotton candy, spaghetti, and cupcakes. Music, dancing, stilt walkers, and a real live princess round out the family fun.READ MORE
Nashwood
Friday, September 2- Sunday, September 4—Highwood—FREE
North suburban Highwood celebrates country music on Labor Day weekend with live country, bluegrass, blues and Southern rock music. Southern inspired food and drinks will also be available. The Pralines and Cream Stage at Chicago Mike's Ice Cream and Tala Coffee Roasters' courtyard will feature family friendly music throughout the festival. READ MORE
Taste of Polonia
Friday, September 2- Monday, September 5—Jefferson Park
The country's largest Polish festival takes place at the Copernicus Center in Chicago on Labor Day weekend. More than 30 bands will play on four stages over the course of the weekend, and families can enjoy inflatables, a climbing wall, face painting, clowns, Disney characters, tastings and cooking classes, carnival rides, and games. Polish foods from pierogis to sausages to potato pancakes will also be available. READ MORE
African Festival of the Arts
Friday, September 2- Monday, September 5—Washington Park
Washington Park hosts the annual African Festival of the Arts, featuring vibrant drumming, museum quality and collectible artifacts, colorful and rich handwoven fabric and textile, family friendly activities, music, and food. READ MORE
Lincoln Square Greekfest
Friday, September 2- Monday, September 5—Lincoln Square
Lincoln Square's St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church hosts a different kind of cultural festival with Greek food, live music, and a Greek dance troupe. The event also includes a Hellenic marketplace. All proceeds benefit the church.READ MORE
Taste of Melrose Park
Friday, September 2- Sunday, September 4—Melrose Park
Summer winds down with this 40th annual festival in the near west suburbs. Families can enjoy a live entertainment, including kids' musicians, bagpipes, the Sabor de Mexico stage, and the Jesse White Tumblers, along with carnival rides and games and a free interactive racing game. Taste food from more than 60 booths featuring Chicago classics and unique local treats.READ MORE
Schaumburg September Fest
Saturday, September 3- Monday, September 5—Schaumburg — FREE
Septemberfest offers arts & crafts, live music, kid's activities, carnival, and much more. READ MORE
Summer Fireworks at Navy Pier
Saturday, September 3—Downtown—FREE
Fireworks fans of all ages can enjoy a spectacular display, synchronized to music, for FREE every Wednesday and Saturday night at Navy Pier. READ MORE
Long Grove Irish Days
Saturday, September 3- Monday, September 5—Long Grove
Experience the luck of the Irish on Labor Day weekend in historic Downtown Long Grove. Visitors can see Irish dancers, hear Irish music, sample Irish inspired food and beverages, and judge contests for best Irish dog and best looking men's legs in a kilt. READ MORE
Bulls Fest 2022
Saturday, September 3- Sunday, September 4—West Loop
Hoops, arts, beats, and eats hit the United Center on Labor Day weekend. Families can play in a 3v3 basketball tournament, try out a basketball clinic, listen to DJs and other live entertainment, taste favorites from Chicago restaurants, and take pictures with current and former Bulls players.READ MORE
Chicago Labor Day Parade
Saturday, September 3—East Side
Celebrate Labor Day on Chicago's far Southeast Side, the birthplace of many Midwestern labor movements and unions. The parade honors the contributions of working class people as it marches south on Ewing Avenue from 104th Street to 112th Street, then proceeding east to Eggers Grove Forest Preserve. READ MORE
'Cue for a Cause
Sunday, September 4—Elmhurst
Elmhurst's annual barbecue competition and family festival highlights backyard grill masters as they prepare ribs and chicken for the judges. This year's contest will also include a pie and cookie bake-off. Families can purchase beer, barbecue, and root beer floats and enjoy live entertainment throughout the day. Kids may enjoy a giant slide, face painting, games, and visits from Wonder Woman and Spider Man. Proceeds benefit the Elmhurst Walk-In Assistance Network. READ MORE
Downtown Batavia Block Party
Sunday, September 4—Batavia
Enjoy a taste of Batavia with $3 tastings from the suburban downtown's favorite restaurants. Live music from ORD Rocks and River City Revival will accompany a family fun zone and a pie bake off.READ MORE
Bike the Drive
Sunday, September 4—Lake Shore Drive
Bike the drive is a five hour event where no cars are allowed on Lake Shore Drive so that bikers of all ages and skill levels can ride their bikes and enjoy breathtaking views of the city and the lake! READ MORE
Bitter Jest Musical Festival
Monday, September 5—Downtown
Each week, a different local band and food vendor will team up to entertain Highland Park families. The series finale will feature the best bands of the fest at Navy Pier on Labor Day weekend.READ MORE
Sundays on State
Sunday, September 4—Downtown
Chicago's State Street is closed from Madison to Lake for a weekly block party full of surprises. Families can enjoy art, culture, active recreation, food, and specials from local retailers. READ MORE
Let's Tennis... at Gallagher Way
Monday, September 5—Wrigleyville
Learn more about tennis from the US Tennis Association by playing games on two mini courts at Gallagher Way. Kids can learn to play with various tennis activities, win prizes, and watch tennis on the big screen.READ MORE
Old Fashioned Family Picnic in the Park
Monday, September 5—Mount Prospect
Woodland Trails Park brings families together for a turtle race, closest to the pin golfing contest and more. Games, music and inflatables are part of the fun. The day closes out with the kids' coin splash.READ MORE
Photo courtesy of Pirates Cove
More Things To Do in Chicago with Kids Right Now
Best Sprinkler Parks and Splash Pads in Chicago
The fun is as wet as it gets at these nearby sprinkler parks.READ MORE
Drive-In Movie Theaters In and Around Chicago for Outdoor Movie Nights with Kids
Head outside and see a movie this summer. READ MORE
The Best Amusement Parks in the Chicago Area for Families
For when you feel the need for speed. (Or funnel cakes.)READ MORE
Best Orchards for Apple Picking Near Chicago with Kids
We’ve selected 14 of the best apple orchards within a two-hour drive of Chicago for your apple-picking pleasure, many with seasonal extras like hayrides, corn mazes, train rides, and activities for kidsREAD MORE
Chicago's Adler Planetarium with Kids: Top Things to See and Do
Chicago's Museum Campus is the perfect place to visit more than one museum in a day, and the Adler Planetarium gives families the chance to leave Earth from shore of Lake Michigan. Like its siblings The Field Museum and the Shedd Aquarium, it offers exhibits that appeal to every member of the family and provides lots of interactive learning opportunities. It was opened as part of the first planetarium in the Western hemisphere in 1930 and has evolved into a hub for families looking to learn more about stars, planets, galaxies, and space exploration. One big advantage to the Adler...